Characteristics of emotional and sexuality education programs in the Spanish school population

Abstract

Sexuality education should be integrated into educational centers as a human right of children and adolescents, and an international recommendation based on scientific evidence. This study sought to identify the sexuality education interventions that were carried out in Spain in year 2021-2022, and to analyze whether they are in line with best practice recommendations. A descriptive study was carried out, considering organization territorial called Autonomous Communities as the unit of study, through key informants identified by purposive sampling. The variables used were based on international recommendations and the information was collected via a telephone questionnaire, by e-mail or by consulting websites referenced by the key informant. Fifteen of 17 Autonomous Communities had sexuality education interventions. Most were programs and only three had optional curricular subjects. Ninety-four percent were aimed at secondary school and were taught by teachers (72 %). Only one program had an impact evaluation and only 28 % complied with best practice recommendations. The voluntary or optional nature of the interventions reduces their scope, which is usually limited to secondary school students. It is necessary to implement mandatory curricular subjects, with a focus on sexual rights and gender.